With the NBA offseason not too far in the distance, we explore seven possibly disgruntled stars that could help salvage the Miami Heat franchise.
The Miami Heat has had a pretty discouraging season. After falling one win short of a second NBA Finals appearance in three seasons, the Heat is likely going to be a first-round playoff exit this season – if they even make it past the Play-In Tournament.
To make matters worse, the Heat isn’t even in a position where there is going to be a clear avenue to improve the roster. They don’t have salary cap space and will need something short of a miracle to facilitate a trade that would make all that much of a difference.
The Miami Heat should be looking to make a big move during the offseason
But if there’s a front office out there that can make it happen, it’s probably this one. It’s pretty clear that if the Heat is going to be a serious title contender next season, they’re going to need to pull off a huge trade during the summer.
With that in mind, let’s explore seven possibly disgruntled stars that may be enough to help salvage the Heat franchise.
Kyrie Irving – free agent
Kyrie Irving will head into the offseason as an unrestricted free agent. And while the Heat doesn’t have cap space, they could probably work a sign-and-trade deal (one that would have to include Kyle Lowry) with the Dallas Mavericks to pull off such a move.
The big question is whether or not the Heat believes that a trio of Kyrie, Jimmy Butler, and Bam Adebayo would be enough to compete at a championship level in the Eastern Conference. And, perhaps most importantly, if Kyrie’s off-the-court baggage is worth his talent at this point in his career?